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The best bassplayer for Prince.

Blazer

Blazer

Nov 27, 2003
2,017
5,418
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The Netherlands
Disclosures
Rogue luthier employed at Knooren Handcrafted bass guitars
#1
Okay then, we all know that the royal badness is a killer bassplayer in his own right but lets not forget that his bassplayers were no slouches either, THEY have to learn how to play whatever Prince came up with and get used to his extended Jams and sudden song changes.

Let me list them.

1.Andre Cymone - The Revolution
2.Brown Mark - The Revolution
3.Levi Seacer - The New Power Generation
4.Sonny T - The New Power Generation
5.Rhonda Smith - The New Power Generation

I know I left Larry Graham out but he wasn't a permanent member of Prince's band.

well then let's debate on what was their prime Prince moment...
 
#2
I don't know about the rest of those guys, as you say, they've got to be great to be playing with Badness.
I believe Larry Graham is now a relatively permanent member of Prince's touring group.
I've seen Prince live three times, and, for some reason, the bassist I most remember is Lisa. She played a standup electric, and she has some chops!!!
In my opinion, Prince's most creative period was the early and mid eighties i.e. 1999 & Purple Rain.
 
#4
Blazer said:
Okay then, we all know that the royal badness is a killer bassplayer in his own right but lets not forget that his bassplayers were no slouches either, THEY have to learn how to play whatever Prince came up with and get used to his extended Jams and sudden song changes.

Let me list them.

1.Andre Cymone - The Revolution
2.Brown Mark - The Revolution
3.Levi Seacer - The New Power Generation
4.Sonny T - The New Power Generation
5.Rhonda Smith - The New Power Generation

I know I left Larry Graham out but he wasn't a permanent member of Prince's band.

well then let's debate on what was their prime Prince moment...
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1.andre left princes band really before he blew up but he produced jody watleys solo stuff and did a great job on that 2.i saw the purple rain tour in '84 (im old)and brown mark was amazing,very funky with a rock edge.perfect imo for princes music live at the time.3.levi was a transitional guy never really know that much about him 4.sonny t was a guy that prince looked up to growing up around minn,he is one of the few bassist who played his own style complety while working with prince but i hated that version of NPG,too much bad rapping 5. first of all princes best looking bass player but she plays princes music live as well or better than anybody else witch is interesting when you hear her own solo stuff and find out she has mad jazz fusion chops but lays in the pocket
 
#6
Brown Mark, who was Mark Brown was from here in Minnesota, I went to jr high and high school with him, and yes he could play, I remember he did a jam on the hit song by the group Pleasure called GLIDE, which has bass for days, and he tore it up, this was in high shool before he Joined Prince. from what I understand, prince heard about him or seen him, I cant remember exactly and had him audition and he got the part, I thought that was kool. I dont know where he is now, I used to see him from time to time, but I have not seen him in years :hmm:
 
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#8
Fire-Starter said:
Since we are on the subject, why does he go through so many different musicians, am I missing something or is this normal???? and these guys/gals are good!!!!
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Different flavors are brought by different musicians. Prince is one of those guys that likes to sound different from project to project.

Example, just look at his latest live video with Rhonda Smith and the guy who SMOKES on sax, then imagine those tunes played with the original "Revolution" lineup. It would sound much, much different.
 
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#9
I've got a live cut of "Musicology", and Rhonda just absolutely KILLS it. Her tone is amazing, and her feel is funky funky FUN-KAY. The whole band is great, actually, and they do a nice little quote of "Tighten Up" in the middle of the tune.

Prince has had great players, no doubt, but I also think he's so charismatic and musically, well, powerful, that he makes everyone around him better in a sublime kind of way. Kinda like a musical Magic Johnson or something!
 
#14
Dr. Cheese said:
Although I have not liked all of his recordings, I am so awed by Prince's ability as a musician that words can't convey my feelings. If Prince were "only" a bassist, he would be awesome, if he were only a singer, keyboardist, guitarist, etec. he would be awesome. Any musician who can hang with him has my utmost respect.
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+1.....I totally agree 1000% :cool:
 
#16
Resurrecting an old thread because I'd like to know if anyone can tell me more about Sonny T. I can't find any information about the man, and I'd definitely like to know more. All I have is his work on Diamonds and Pearls, but the song "Live for Love" is enough to make me ga-ga.

Thanks, everyone!
 

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